Adhesive closing device provided with a switching circuit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closing device ( 1, 101, 201, 301 ) consisting of a plurality of adhesive closing elements ( 2 ) in the form of a book, mushroom head or clasp. The inventive closing device ( 1, 101, 201, 301 ) comprises a flat support ( 3, 103, 203, 303 ) and the adhesive closing elements ( 2 ) protruded from at least one surface ( 4 ) of the support ( 3, 103, 203, 303 ). Said invention is characterized in that said adhesive closing device ( 1, 101, 201, 301 ) is provided with at least one switching circuit ( 5, 503 ) comprising at least one electric and/or electronic component ( 6, 106; 7, 107, 207, 307 ).

The invention relates to an adhesive closure part according to thepreamble of claim 1.

These adhesive closure parts are known for example from DE 196 46 318A1. An adhesive closure which is generally formed from two adhesiveclosure parts which can be dynamically connected to one another is oftenused in textile or other articles of clothing and is also know as avelcro closure. Further applications are for example installationtechnology, for example for attaching elements of the inside lining inautomotive engineering, or in general the production of a detachablemounting.

The object of the invention is to increase the functionality of adhesiveclosure parts and adhesive closures.

This object is achieved by the adhesive closure part defined in claim 1.Special embodiments of the invention are determined in the dependentclaims.

In an adhesive closure part with a plurality of adhesive closureelements such as for example hooks, mushrooms or loops, the adhesiveclosure part having a flat carrier and the adhesive closure elementsprojecting from at least one surface of the carrier, the object isachieved in that the adhesive closure part has a circuit which has atleast one electrical and/or electronic component.

Preferably the carrier and/or the adhesive closure elements are made ofplastic. For example the plastic can be thermoplastically shaped and aprocess as claimed in DE 196 46 318 A1 is used to produce the adhesiveclosure elements. Alternatively to a thermoplastic, a duroplastic,polymer plastic, acrylate plastic or other suitable plastic can be used.Preferably the adhesive closure elements are configured integrally withthe carrier. Alternatively the adhesive closure elements can also beproduced as described in DE 101 06 705 C1, in particular with anapplication device by which the adhesive closure elements are built upin successively delivered droplets.

In one special version of the invention the electrical and/or electroniccomponent is located on and/or in the flat carrier. To the extent thecomponent is located on the surface of the carrier, this can take placein an area which is free of adhesive closure elements. In particular theadhesive closure elements can be located on only one side of the carrierand the component can be located on the opposing side of the carrier.Depending on the respective application case, the component can also belocated between or on the adhesive closure elements.

To the extent the component is integrated into the flat carrier, thiscan take place in a hybrid or even monolithic manner, in particular thecarrier or its material itself can have an electrical and/or electronicfunctionality. Thus, for example, when a corresponding plastic is usedfor the carrier there can optionally be locally limited electricalconductivity for making available strip conductors. Alternatively or inaddition, the carrier can also have semiconductor properties, at leastlocally limited, so that circuitry intelligence can be integrated intothe compartmented carrier.

In one preferred embodiment the component is applied to the flat carrierin thick or thin film technology. Thus for example electrical conductorstrips can also be provided on the carrier by structured or unstructuredcoating, for example printing, precipitation or vapor deposition.Packaging technology discloses partially aluminized packaging foils, thealuminum coating for the packaging foils being intended for a completelydifferent purpose, specifically as diffusion barriers. When using thecorresponding printing or coating technologies, aluminum strips whichare structured at least in areas, or conductor strips consisting of someother electrically conductive material, can be made availablecomparatively easily on the carrier.

In this way electrical sensors can also be made available which signalfor example the application of a force to the adhesive closure part. Inthis way an adhesive closure part which is used for example to attach acoating material for a motor vehicle seat can at the same timeelectrically signal whether an individual has sat down on the seat ornot and accordingly the safety devices such as the belt tensioner orairbags of the vehicle can be controlled.

Above and beyond these simple electrical sensors which are formedessentially by conductor strips, it is possible to implement sensors,actuators and data processing technology of almost any complexity on thecarrier. To do this for example electronic sensors and/or integratedsemiconductor components can be provided on or in the carrier. At leastsome of the electrical and/or electronic components can also be appliedto another carrier which is laminated onto the flat carrier of theadhesive closure element or is joined to the flat carrier.

For example, so-called smart labels can be implemented by the adhesiveclosure part as claimed in the invention; they can be easily attachedand removed again as many times as wished on articles of clothing, itemsor the like as intelligent labels due to the mechanical functionality ofthe adhesive closure part.

In one special embodiment the integrated semiconductor component has anelectronic data memory. It can be a read-only memory (ROM) or also aprogrammable read-only memory (PROM). In particular, erasableprogrammable read-only memories (EPROM) or even electronically erasableprogrammable read-only memories (EEPROM) are advantageous. For example,identification or authorization data can be stored in the data memory.Thus, for example access authorization to security-relevant spaces,vehicles, functions or the like can be filed in such a data memory.

Alternatively or in addition, biometric features of living creatures,especially of individuals, can be stored which are used for recordingand storing characteristic and individual features. Such an adhesiveclosure part can easily be for example detachably mounted on an articleof clothing of a correspondingly authorized individual who has thecorresponding access authorizations using this adhesive closure part.

In this connection it is especially advantageous if the data which arestored in the data memory can be read out without contact. Preferablythe adhesive closure part forms a type of transponder which in any casetransmits some of the stored data upon a corresponding electronicinterrogation. The pertinent reading station can be stationary orportable.

The energy which is required for information transmission between theadhesive closure part and the reading station can be coupled into thecircuit in the adhesive closure part without contact by anelectromagnetic field. The circuit for this purpose has at least onereceiving coil which can also be formed for example by a correspondinglystructured conductor strip.

Alternatively or in addition, the circuit can have an energy storagedevice, especially an electrochemical energy storage device in the formof a battery or a rechargeable battery. Alternatively or in addition,capacitive or other energy storage devices can also be used. Preferablythe energy storage device is also made using thin or thick filmtechnology so that the adhesive closure part overall has a smallthickness.

Preferably data can also be stored in the data memory without contact sothat not only can information be read out of the memory, but also newand optionally updated information can be written into the memory. Thesewriting processes preferably also take place without contact and likethe reading process do not require direct visual contact between theadhesive closure part and the reading device. The attainablecommunications ranges in the corresponding systems which are known fromother applications are up to one meter or more. The range is determinedessentially by the power of the transmitter and/or by the size of theantenna of the read/write device. When an energy storage device which isintegrated into the adhesive closure part is used, fundamentally longerranges can be achieved.

The applications of these intelligent adhesive closure parts are verywidely diversified, in particular they can be used for applications forwhich adhesive closure parts have not been used in the past. Themechanical functionality of the adhesive closure part allows simple andrepeatable attachment and removal of electronic intelligence onindividuals or articles of clothing or on items. Since transmission ofthe information does not require visual contact, the adhesive closureparts can also be located hidden, for example on the inside of anarticle of clothing or on the side of an item which is not visible.

Other advantages, features and details of the invention arise from thedependent claims and the following description in which severalembodiments are detailed with reference to the drawings. Here thefeatures mentioned in the claims and in the description are individuallycritical to the invention for themselves or in any combination.

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through an adhesive closure with anadhesive closure part as claimed in the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cross section through an adhesive closure with anadhesive closure part 1 as claimed in the invention. The latter has aplurality of adhesive closure elements 2 which are regularly located inrows and columns and which are formed integrally with the flat carrier 3from a formable thermoplastic and project from one surface 4 of thecarrier 3 obliquely and preferably at a right angle. On the surfaceopposite the adhesive closure elements 2, the adhesive closure part 1has a circuit 5 which in this embodiment has both an electricalcomponent in the form of a conductor strip 6 and also an electroniccomponent in the form of an integrated semiconductor component 7.

The printed conductors 6 are formed by a structured aluminum coating onthe side of the carrier 3 which faces away from the adhesive closureelements 2. The connection to the terminalelectrodes of thesemiconductor component 7 takes place by way of so-called bumps 8. Thefunction and complexity of the semiconductor component 7 are matched tothe respective application. In this way the semiconductor component 7can consist for example essentially of a temperature sensor, optionallywith a storage means for regular or event-dictated storage of determinedtemperature values, for example when a given temperature value isexceeded or not reached. To do this, the semiconductor component 7 inone partial area has a data memory 17 from which data can be read outpreferably without contact and data can be stored likewise preferablywithout contact. These data can be routed by way of the conductor strips6 to outside the adhesive closure part 1. In another application, thesemiconductor component 7 can contain for example a complete transponderwhich communicates identification data without contact with acorresponding read/write device.

The adhesive closure part 1 which is equipped as claimed in theinvention, by means of the adhesive closure elements 2, can be connectedin a mechanically secure but detachable manner to another adhesiveclosure part 9 which is configured essentially identically with respectto its mechanical functionally by engagement of the adhesive closureelements 2, 10 which correspond to one another. The other adhesiveclosure part 9 can be sewed, cemented or in some other way appliedsecurely and generally undetachably to a textile or other article ofclothing. Therefore the adhesive closure part 1 which is equipped asclaimed in the invention can be detachably fixed on an article ofclothing 11. The adhesive closure part 1 which is equipped as claimed inthe invention thus combines the mechanical attachment possibilities ofconventional adhesive closures with the more or less complex controlfunction of electrical and/or electronic components and can thus becalled a smart fastener or an intelligent adhesive closure.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention. The adhesive closurepart 101 likewise has a thermoplastically formable carrier 103 intowhich the semiconductor component 107 is integrated. This integrationcan be done in hybrid form, for example by inserting a semiconductorcomponent 107 into a correspondingly provided or impressed recess in thecarrier 103. Depending on the capabilities and properties of the carrier103 and of the pertinent material, the control intelligence can also bemonolithically implemented in the material of the carrier 103, forexample by influencing, in a concerted manner, the semiconductor areaswhich are optionally locally bounded in the carrier 103. Contact-makingof the electronic component 107 which is integrated in a monolithic orhybrid manner takes place in turn by conductor strips 106 which in thiscase are produced by structured coating of the corresponding surface ofthe carrier 103.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention. Here the electroniccomponent 207 is applied to another carrier 212 which is laminated ontothe flat carrier 203 of the adhesive closure element 201 by means of acement layer 213.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. The adhesive closurepart 301 as claimed in the invention which is located in the center ofthe drawing, on its side which faces away from the adhesive closureelements 302 and on which the circuit 305 is located, is securely andundetachably fixed on a textile covering 314 which can be used forexample for covering the upholstery of a vehicle seat. On the surfacewhich faces away from the adhesive closure elements 302 the adhesiveclosure part 301 has conductor strips 306 a, 306 b which abut oneanother. The adhesive closure part 301 can be detachably fixed on anupholstery part 315 which has another corresponding adhesive closurepart 309 for this purpose by means of the adhesive closure elements 302and together with the textile covering 314.

In the case of the action of a force F in the direction of the arrow316, for example by an individual sitting down on the vehicle seat, moreor less major deflection of the upholstery part 315 and thus also of theadhesive closure part 301 takes place and especially the distance andinterface between the conductor strips 306 a, 306 b changes. This isaccompanied by a change of the electrical contact resistance which canbe communicated directly or indirectly to outside the adhesive closurepart 301 by way of the electronic component 307 which is integrated intothe carrier 303. The electronic component 307 is provided only as anoption for contactless communications and/or as an option forimplementation of other control intelligence or other sensors. Inparticular, sensor functions can also be provided even without theelectronic semiconductor component 307 in the adhesive closure part 301,for example also pressure or moisture sensors, by the correspondingcomb-like arrangements of conductor paths.

Immediately next to the semiconductor component 307 or optionally alsospaced apart from it, but electrically connected to it, the adhesiveclosure part 301 has an energy storage device 318 in thin or thick filmtechnology, preferably an electrochemical energy storage device 318 inthe form of a battery or a rechargeable battery.

The conductor strips can be implemented by structured or unstructuredapplication of metal layers, in the case of unstructured applicationsuch as for example vapor deposition or precipitation from the gaseousphase, subsequent structuring can take place mechanically, chemically orin some other way. All the materials which are used for the adhesiveclosure part 1, 101, 201, 301 as claimed in the invention, especiallythe plastics used, are preferably recyclable and/or biologicallydecomposable.

1. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) with a plurality of adhesiveclosure elements (2) such as for example hooks, mushrooms or loops, theadhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) having a flat carrier (3, 103,203, 303) and the adhesive closure elements (2) projecting from at leastone surface (4) of the carrier (3, 103, 203, 303), and the adhesiveclosure elements (2) consisting of an electrically insulating plastic,characterized in that the adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) has acircuit (5, 305) which has at least one electrical and/or electroniccomponent (6, 106; 7, 107, 207, 307), and that the circuit (5, 305) islocated on the side of the carrier (3, 103, 203, 303) opposite theelectrically insulating adhesive closure elements (2).
 2. Adhesiveclosure part (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a furtherelectrical and/or electronic component (6, 106; 7, 107, 207, 307) islocated on and/or in the flat carrier (3, 103, 203, 303).
 3. Adhesiveclosure part (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a furtherelectrical and/or electronic component (6, 106; 7, 107, 207, 307) isintegrated into the flat carrier (3, 103, 203, 303).
 4. Adhesive closurepart (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed in one of claim 1, wherein theelectrical and/or electronic component (6, 106; 7, 107, 207, 307) isapplied in thick or thin film technology to the flat carrier (3, 103,203, 303).
 5. Adhesive closure part (201) as claimed in claim 1, whereina further electrical and/or electronic component (6, 106; 7, 107, 207,307) is applied to another carrier (212) which is laminated onto theflat carrier (3, 103, 203, 303) of the adhesive closure part (1, 101,201, 301).
 6. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed in oneof claim 1, wherein the circuit (5, 305) has electrical conductor strips(6, 106).
 7. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the circuit (5, 305) has electrical and/or electronicsensors (306 a, 306 b).
 8. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) asclaimed in one of claim 1, wherein the circuit (5, 305) has anintegrated semiconductor component (7, 107, 207, 307).
 9. Adhesiveclosure part (1, 101, 201, 301) as claimed in claim 8, wherein theintegrated semiconductor component (7, 107, 207, 307) has an electronicdata memory (17).
 10. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the data stored in the data memory (17) canbe read out without contact.
 11. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201,301) as claimed in claim 9, wherein data can be stored in the datamemory (17) without contact.
 12. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201,301) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical energy for operatingthe circuit (5, 305) can be coupled without contact into the circuit (5,305) which has at least one receiving coil for this purpose by anelectromagnetic field.
 13. Adhesive closure part (1, 101, 201, 301) asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the circuit (5, 305) has an energy storagedevice (318), especially an electrochemical energy storage device (318)in thin or thick film technology.
 14. Adhesive closure part (1, 101,201, 301) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier (3, 103, 203, 303)and/or the adhesive closure elements (2) are produced from aduroplastic, thermoplastic, polymer plastic or an acrylate plastic.